Radiology Malpractice and Errors

Chicago Radiology Malpractice Attorney

Radiology is a specialty field in medicine that deals with the interpretation of diagnostic tests such as x-rays, mammograms, CT scans, MRI, ultrasounds and other imaging studies. As Chicago medical malpractice lawyers, we know that a medical malpractice claim arises when a patient believes that negligent or improper medical care has resulted in bodily injury or harm. Radiologic malpractice can occur when errors are made in reading x-rays, MRIs and CT scans are a very common form of medical malpractice. When these errors are made by physicians the results can be catastrophic.

A malpractice claim arises when a patient believes that negligent or improper medical care has resulted in bodily injury or harm. Radiology is one of the specialties most liable to claims of medical malpractice. The most common lawsuit against a radiologist is the failure to diagnose. This generally occurs when a trained radiologist misses an abnormality or misinterprets an image on an x-ray. As experienced Chicago medical malpractice attorneys we know that over 40% of radiologic related medical malpractice cases arise from failure to diagnosis or misdiagnosis of radiologic films. Recent studies conducted by insurance agencies in United States found that error in diagnosis was the most common cause of litigation against radiologists.

Common types of Radiology Malpractice cases:

Misdiagnosis of mammography films

Missed lung cancer on chest x-rays

Missed fractures on emergency room x-rays

Obstetrical sonogram errors

Failure to communicate findings to referring physician

Failure to communicate between radiologists and patients

The majority of radiology malpractice cases involved the physicians failure to diagnose breast cancer on mammography, failure to diagnose lung cancer on chest x-rays, and failure to diagnose fractures on skeletal x-rays. Below are listed some of the most common misdiagnosed cancers.

Common misdiagnosis of cancer is:

Colorectal carcinoma on barium enema studies

Lung nodules on chest x-rays

Breast lesions on mammograms

Bone tumors on plain or flat x-rays

Types of errors in Radiology

Observational errors or failure to observe

The physician or radiologist fails to detect the lesion or medical condition. This is the most common error made in radiology.

Errors in interpretation

These are errors made in identifying and interpreting abnormalities on radiologic tests.

Failure to suggest the next appropriate procedure

The errors are made when a lesion is found and the physician does not order appropriate follow up studies.

Failure to communicate in a timely and clinically appropriate manner

The radiologist is responsible for writing a final written interpretation of the radiologic test and communicating the findings to the patients or the physician who ordered the test. This documentation should include the date, time, name of the person spoken to, and points discussed.

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We offer a free consultation to evaluate your legal case. It will cost you nothing to consult with a lawyer to see if you have a case. It is essential that action be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident and/or conduct in question and to file a lawsuit, when necessary prior to a deadline imposed by the statute of limitations.